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The Growing Capabilities of Artificial Intelligence

May 23, 2018

Artificial intelligence may not be able to rival the ingenuity humans possess, and machines may never be able to reason, or problem solve as well as humans can. Although AI may never truly rival the capabilities of the human mind, machine learning has progressed to the point where machines are beginning to display some of the characteristics seen in the human brain.

Complex algorithms, in combination with significant computing power, are allowing computer engineers to develop artificial neural systems that can identify patterns, objects, and images without the need for human inputs. The goal is to enable machines to solve problems that arise independently, without the need for human intervention after each new problem.

Computer scientists are also working to create machines that are “curious”. This new form of “curious” that can predict the consequences of their actions through trial and error and learn from the mistakes they make. These machines are not motivated by external rewards, but rather are driven by the desire to learn more and gain new experiences.

Although there are concerns about AI becoming “too smart” and supplanting human intelligence, deep-learning machines can be used as tools to allow humans to take full advantage of their creative and critical thinking capacities. More intelligent machines can conduct calculations, analyze problems, and process "big data" with greater efficiency, freeing people from what can be mundane burdens. While this may not necessarily increase human intelligence, it will certainly allow humans to employ the knowledge they do have to greater effect.

There are also hesitations about how relying too heavily on smart machines to do the “heavy lifting” will change the way in which humans think and learn, causing people to become unwilling to push themselves to reach objectives. Artificial intelligence, however, can be an instrument to thrust human inventiveness to new heights.